Post your breakdowns: Pistons vs. Spurs

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Pistons in six closing out at home sorry guys that's the way I see it.

[JamStone]

Game 5 last year was as close to "being down" as a team could be, considering how 3 & 4 went.

Also, Spurs have "been down", dropping game 1 of series many times, only to come storming back. Typically the Spurs play from in front; taking control of series, and finishing teams off. Notable exception is Detroit last year; and conventional wisdom, all national pundits, and certainly Detroit Fan thought for SURE that that tough Detroit 7th game experience would rule the day.

Fact is, Detroit tightened, the Spurs extended; would HCA have made a difference? I don't know, and neither do you. All I know is, Detroit has made a big deal about that HCA all year, and has played their asses off to get it. How will they respond if the Spurs come in and pop em in the mouth in game 1, and wrench that hard-fought, absolutely essential, HCA away in 48 minutes? I'm betting not well.

None of those examples, including game 5 last year was an ELIMINATION game. And, even if the Spurs lost game 5, the Spurs had the comfort of knowing they had the last two games at home. There is not the same kind of pressure as an elimination game 6 or 7 on the road, and you know it.

As for Detroit tightening in game 7 of last year ... ummmm what? The score was 57-57 after three quarters with Chauncey, Rasheed, and Dice all in foul trouble for long stretches of the game. Larry Brown made a coaching mistake by sliding Tayshaun over to the power forward position and that's when the Spurs really made their run. Spurs outplayed the Pistons in the fourth quarter. Bruce Bowen made a great defensive play on Chauncey to seal the game. If you think the Pistons tightened in game 7, that tells me you think they should have won, talent wise.

Spurs have been great over the last 8 years. But, when they've won, they have never had the elimination pressure in any series except last years finals AT HOME. They have never faced the adversity of having to win a game on the road in an elimination situation. The one time they did, they lost to the Lakers in 2004. In 2001, the Spurs got swept out of the WC finals. In 2002, the Spurs got were sent home by the Lakers again, this time in five games.

As great as the Spurs have been, they haven't really shown the propensity to win a tough game on the road in an elimination situation when they had to have it. So, if the Spurs and Pistons are both similarly good, and it's up to game 7 at the Palace where the Spurs have to win on the road, I would bet against them, just as much as I would put my money ON THE SPURS if it were in San Antonio.

[leemajors]

i think this is really a matter of team penis size averages.

[JamStone]

i think this is really a matter of team penis size averages.

We traded Darko and Arroyo for a 7-foot black man.

[Jimcs50]

It is going to be Spurs vs New Jersey.

This thread is pointless.

[smeagol]

It is going to be Spurs vs New Jersey.

That's every Spurs fan's wish. I don't see it happening. VC will choke as usual.

[DarkReign]

i think this is really a matter of team penis size averages.

LOL

Although, looking at the trends, Jam is right. Pistons are known and almost expected to gut out that one "MUST WIN" game. By 'must win', I mean to keep a series going. To have another chance. Game 7 is the end all, be all of any series. There is no second chance.

Spurs, not so much. If you punch them in the mouth early, they usually crumble. Get up 2 games on them and the series is over.

Basically, the Spurs had better win one of first 2 games on the Pistons court, because the Pistons are going to win at least one on yours.

BUT! This is all bull . Last I checked, the L-East just got a whooooole lot tougher seeing as Miami and NJ finally decided to play basketball. EC Finals are going to be TOUGH. I was very confident in the Pistons making the Finals again. Not so much anymore.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

NJ has had a good regular season run again, but I really don't care to take them seriously. Pistons are the only Non-Pretender. Heat could be an upset because Wade gives Pistons' a problem and Riley can outcoach unproven Flip. Coaching plays a bigger factor in playoffs than regular season games. Last year the Pistons were kind of y for the ECF then Wade woke them up. I like Wade too so it'd be cool to see him settle the score, because the Pistons act like they got a chip on their shoulder.

Still, Pistons are the real deal so:

If Spurs vs. Pistons

Pop has to deal with the new offensive schemes Flip set up in addition to the same ol' Pistons' defense.

Talent-wise Spurs have the edge. 3 Stars + Bench > Pistons 5 + Bench

Pistons stone-cold will to win > Spurs complacent game/doubts creep in, after a win nonsense. So damn annoying.

Manu + Horry intangibles > Chauncey's big shots

If Spurs correct their rebounding problem it'll be a close match-up, etc. Can't really predict anything really for a Spurs-Pistons rematch, we'll just have to wait and see. Last year's series was an ultimate grind. I dont know how a Spurs or Pistons fan could take it without ripping their hair out again. The Championship is much more worthy though if Pistons make it. It's so much better than the LEASTERN conference crap we had the previous 4 years.

It'd be cool to see Heat vs. Spurs because it'd be nice for Shaq to be back as an old foe. Though we don't know how Wade would be on the big stage. Ideally it'd be cool to see Wade vs. Parker and Gino trading spectacular plays. Pop the Winning coach of this era vs. Riley the winning coach of old.